Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected her suspension from the Senate, calling it “an injustice that will not be sustained.”
The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker was suspended for six months on Thursday after the Senate disciplinary committee found her guilty of breaching its rules. This followed her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking shortly after her suspension, the Kogi Central Senator expressed her anger over the decision.
“This injustice would not stand,” Natasha declared before leaving the Red Chambers.
Her suspension came after a heated dispute with Senate President Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment and abuse of office. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions recommended her suspension, and the Red Chambers upheld the decision.
Despite efforts by some lawmakers to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate voted to maintain the six-month penalty.
Senate President Akpabio stated, “That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended) for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium.”
He added that Natasha could have her suspension lifted or reduced if she submits a written apology.
“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, weighed in on the matter, urging respect for the Senate as an institution.
“I know with what is going on in the Senate, you may say, why am I not taking a position? I believe that the Senate is doing what is needful because that’s what it is. It is an inside place, and it’s a matured chamber,” she told journalists at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
She emphasized the importance of dignity within the Senate, saying, “It’s an honour for you to be in that place alone. I was there for 12 years… Women, raise yourself, don’t be in a position that men will be talking to you anyhow.”
